ROCKVILLE, Md., July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This spring has seen Accelovance, a Rockville, Md. Clinical Research Organization (CRO) serving biotech and small and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, advance its goal of providing premier services within oncology clinical research.

The company successfully completed its first-ever "Oncology Protocol Challenge" at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) last month and appointed two senior level executives who will increase the company's capabilities in organizing and conducting early stage oncology clinical trials.

The Oncology Protocol Challenge-Accelovance developed its Oncology Protocol Challenge as a complementary service to support the cancer research community at ASCO last month. Responses from participating sponsors were extremely favorable at this major international medical congress.

The Initiative encouraged clinical trial sponsor companies to "challenge" the Accelovance scientific team to review their protocols or clinical development plans and provide practical feedback encompassing operational, scientific, and therapeutic factors on a no-cost basis. The Accelovance team thoroughly dissected the companies' studies and methodologies prior to ASCO, prepared comprehensive summaries of their viewpoints and recommendations and met with the companies at private meetings at ASCO to present their findings.

Michael Keens, VP Sales and Marketing, at Accelovance, says, "this was an innovative and engaging means for companies to 'pressure test' their clinical trial protocols with outside, neutral experts. Having our team review their plans helped several companies ensure that they were organizing trials in the most cost-effective, operational, and expeditious manner."

Boosting Accelovance Scientific Resources-Accelovance made several hires in the first half of 2013 to bolster its capabilities in oncology clinical trials.

Jamie Oliver, Pharm.D., was appointed Senior Vice President, Clinical Services. Dr. Oliver was previously Chief Executive Officer at Phage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and prior to Phage was a Principal at Trinity Drug Partners, L.L.C. He has published a number of peer-reviewed articles in the areas of oncology and immunopharmacology. He received his Doctor of Pharmacology degree from Mercer University in Atlanta.

Robert C. Shepard, M.D., Ph.D., was named Vice President, Scientific and Medical Affairs, Oncology. Dr. Shepard is an attending physician at the Duke University School of Medicine and was previously Chief Medical Officer at Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals. He is triple boarded in Oncology, Hematology and Internal medicine, authoring numerous peer-reviewed papers, primarily within oncology. He is a graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine.

Drs. Oliver and Shepard join Ralph Boccia, M.D., the company's Oncology Medical Director. Dr. Boccia is also Medical Director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Bethesda, Md.

Stephen J, Trevisan, CEO of Accelovance says "we are thrilled to add Jamie and Rob to our team. The need for development and operational assistance in cancer clinical trials continues to grow and there is an acute demand for hands-on leaders to manage the complex issues related to trial design and clinical oversight, patient recruitment and data management. Creating programs such as the Oncology Protocol Challenge provides value to drug development companies, and Accelovance is proud to apply our heritage of successful trial management and leverage the expertise of our Senior Leaders and staff to the oncology arena."

"Our goal is to be a leader in early phase Oncology clinical trials and these appointmentsalong with the continued involvement of Dr. Ralph Boccia underscore our commitment to this goal."

About Accelovance Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Accelovance is a privately held company that has developed a unique operational approach for delivering quality, on time, and cost effective clinical studies. The Company was recognized as "Best CRO" with consecutive Industry Excellence awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Accelovance tailors its full offering of CRO services to present a clinical solution that meets a sponsor's needs. Accelovance has a 100% owned subsidiary providing CRO services in China. These capabilities can assist clients with global development programs or product registration in China, the fastest growing pharmaceutical market in the world.